Utah Jazz notes: Hot Rod Hundley documentary coming, Gail Miller honored

Legendary Utah Jazz broadcaster Hot Rod Hundley will be the subject of an upcoming documentary. Also — Jazz owner Gail Miller to be honored.

In the annals of Utah Jazz lore, Hot Rod Hundley stands alone as perhaps the organization’s biggest personality. The flair and fun he brought to the game as the team’s play-by-play man was as much a part of Jazz broadcasts as a Karl Malone hammer dunk or a John Stockton dime.

Hundley was more than just an announcer; he was a true showman. From his days as a college star at West Virginia and the 1957 NBA Drafts’ No. 1 overall pick to his lengthy career in television, the way he did things was unlike anything else happening in the sport. Now, his story is set to hit the big screen.

The West Virginia-based Pikewood Creative has produced a feature-length documentary about the legendary player and Jazz broadcaster. The film, “Hot Rod,” is slated for release in spring of this year.

Earlier this week, the first trailer for Hot Rod dropped via social media —

Obviously, this is probably required viewing for Jazz fans. However, it has the look of a cinematic gem for basketball fans in general. Not only does it cover Hundley’s basketball highs, but it looks to dig into some of his struggles personally and professionally as well.

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Stay tuned to The J-Notes for more information on the Hot Rod doc as it becomes available.

Gail Miller to be honored

Jazz owner Gail Miller is widely known for philanthropic and civic efforts. On Monday, she’s set to be honored for them by the Salt Lake chapter of the NAACP.

At the organization’s 34th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Memorial Luncheon, Miller will receive this year’s Rosa Parks award. The Jazz will also award a scholarship during the event.

For more information on the luncheon, visit the Salt Lake NAACP.

Briefly

Jazz guard Rodney Hood was fined $35,000 by the league this weekend. The fine came as a result of Hood slapping a phone out of a fan’s hand after being ejected from Utah’s road bout with the Charlotte Hornets on Friday.

Hood has also issued an apology for the incident.